A good real estate agent will tell you success is about location, location, location. But a great name will get you beyond a so-so location.

Yum Yum Noodle Bar has both a smile-inducing name and a pretty great location — the Stockyard area of Kingston. Street parking is the standard here, but after business hours, more lots open up.

During the summer, street-side tables are available along with long family-style tables and benches inside the colorful dining room.

An open kitchen anchors the back of the smallish room. At the bar, you can enjoy a glass of wine, a special cocktail or a flight of “what’s on tap” brews. Carryout is also an option.

If you like autonomy and lots of space when dining out, this might not suit. Sitting in such close proximity to the party next to you can add to the happy atmosphere, and conversations grow as organically as the menu.

A small appetizer list is featured on the simple menu. Steamed Buns ($7) offer a choice of either roasted pork or seitan as the filling.

For our visit, two steamed buns arrived plated, open faced and stuffed with an anise-scented braised pork and topped with almost paper-thin, house-made cucumber pickles. The pork had crispy little bits and edges. The combination of the succulent pork, the soft, fluffy bun and the sweet and savory pickles almost made me swoon.

The Indonesian Satay ($6) featured two bamboo skewers threaded with tender and juicy strips of chicken (tofu or seitan are also available). The chicken had been marinated in Indian spices and presented a whisper of curry. They were paired with a large glob of peanut sauce — the only disappointment in our meal.

Now, a primer on how to order a noodle bowl at Yum Yum. A standard bowl is $10 and a small bowl is $5. First choose your noodle: Ramen, udon, soba or rice. Then select a broth: vegetarian, curry/coconut, pork/chicken or dashi/miso. Finally, decide on a protein: chicken, salmon, beef, pork, tofu or seitan.

First the noodles were spooled into the bowl and then topped with a combination of fresh vegetables such as carrots, bok choy and cabbage. Several thin slices of seared beef were placed on top, and then the dark, hot broth was ladled in. The pork/chicken broth was rich and deeply flavored. Buttons of mushrooms bobbed in the bowl. This warming and satisfying dish was garnished with a hard-boiled egg and a large nori chip.

Bibimbap ($10) is a traditional Korean rice dish. Again, you choose your protein. First, the kitchen layered hot, floral-scented jasmine rice into a dish, followed by a layer of kimchi. Then protein was layered in, topped with a fried egg. Bean sprouts and scallions added crunch and freshness. It was also served with a miso-style broth, but we had pretty much devoured the dish before we realized we had forgotten to pour it in.

It was all about the food here, but we also enjoyed a tasting of four beers on tap for $6. A small selection of wine and a delightful specialty cocktail list is available as well. Service is more than efficient, friendly and welcoming. Be sure to check out the dessert menu. Most items are made in-house.